Bulldogs sink the Pirates

The Bulldogs pulled off their third straight BVL win after a decisive 74-65 win over the Wheatland Pirates on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs pulled off their third straight BVL win after a decisive 74-65 win over the Wheatland Pirates on Tuesday.

The Pirates were the first to strike in the BVL match-up, but it didn’t last long after Tyler Abrego scored six points early in the first followed by 12 unanswered points from the Bulldogs. Wheatland broke the 12-0 run by hitting 3-pointer halfway through the first, but Emery Haddy fired back with a three of his own.

The Bulldogs couldn’t seem to stop Wheatland’s long-shot as the Pirates hit three 3’s early in the second to take their only lead in the game with five minutes left in the half. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Haddy stepped up again and answered from beyond the arc. Wheatland had difficulty finding the basket after that, and the Bulldogs went into the half with a comfortable 43-36 lead.

Both teams came back hungry after the break, hitting shot for shot, with Gridley heading into the final quarter up 58-50.

The Pirates caught up mid-way through the fourth, down by a point with 3:30 left in the game. The Bulldogs’ defense was determined, however, and only let Wheatland see the net one more time in the game. Gridley finished the game with an 11-point run and a victory over the Pirates.

Abrego led the Bulldogs with 20 points, while Espinoza finished with 11. Sam Cota and Shobi Khan each finished with 10 points, and Haddy hit three 3-pointers.

Gridley’s Joe Harp played a phenomenal game off the bench with eight points in the second half.

With the win, Gridley (14-8, 3-1) remains in second place in the Butte View League behind Orland by one game.